Panera Brands, parent company of Panera Bread, Einstein Bros. Brands and Caribou Coffee, appointed Paul Carbone as its permanent CEO effective immediately, the company said in an emailed press release Tuesday.
Carbone served as the company’s CFO since 2023 and became interim CEO in January following José Alberto Dueñas’ resignation.
Carbone has played a role in helping the business identify and execute changes in various areas, such as menu transformation, value and the guest experience, the company said in the press release. In February 2024, Panera Bread underwent a massive menu transformation that continued throughout the year with new breakfast items, baked goods and some significant eliminations. The company is also in the process of switching to parbaked and frozen bread, creating an on-demand model.
In his new role, Carbone said he will oversee a multi-year plan with the goals of “building great teams, delivering an exceptional guest experience and driving franchise profitability.”
“Paul’s commitment and significant contributions to Panera over the past two years — coupled with his impressive track record of success with both public and private companies in the industry — demonstrate that he has both the experience and the vision to lead the company through a period of transformation,” Patrick Grismer, board chair of Panera Brands, said in a statement.
Carbone has experience in the restaurant, consumer goods and retail industries, according to the press release. He served nine years as CFO at Dunkin’ Brands as well as CFO at Yeti Holdings and SharkNinja.
